Clawdbot & Moltbot Deployment Guide: How to Run Your Own AI Agent on a VPS

If you are looking for a Clawdbot moltbot deployment guide, you want to move your AI assistant from a local machine to a reliable, always-on server. Moltbot is a powerful AI agent framework that can manage your calendar, browse the web, and execute terminal commands autonomously.

In this guide, we will show you exactly how to deploy Moltbot (often referred to under the Clawd brand) on a VPS using Docker, ensuring your AI agent is available 24/7 without keeping your laptop running.

What is Moltbot (Clawdbot)?

Moltbot is a personal AI assistant framework designed to run locally or on a server. Unlike simple chatbots, Moltbot is an agent—it can "do" things. It uses Large Language Models (LLMs) like Anthropic's Claude or OpenAI's GPT-4 to understand instructions and then uses tools to interact with your digital life.

The Rebrand: From Clawdbot to Moltbot

You might have originally heard of this project as Clawdbot (with the agent named Clawd). However, the project recently underwent a major rebrand to Moltbot (and the agent to Molty). This change was reportedly triggered by a trademark request, likely due to the name's similarity to Anthropic's "Claude" AI. While the name has changed, the core mission of providing a powerful, self-hosted AI agent remains the same.

Why Deploy Moltbot on a VPS?

While you can run Moltbot on your computer, a VPS (Virtual Private Server) is the superior choice for serious users. Here is why:

• Always-On Availability: Your AI agent can process tasks, monitor emails, or manage schedules while you sleep.
• Messaging Integration: Interact with your agent via Telegram, WhatsApp, or iMessage without needing a local UI open.
• Resource Independence: AI agents can be CPU-intensive during complex reasoning. A VPS ensures your primary machine stays fast.
• Privacy and Control: You own the data and the environment, unlike closed SaaS agent platforms.

Prerequisites for Deployment

Before starting the installation, ensure you have the following:

1. A Middlehost VPS: We recommend at least 4GB of RAM for smooth LLM orchestration.
2. Docker & Docker Compose: Installed on your server.
3. API Keys: You will need API keys from Anthropic (Claude) or OpenAI.
4. Domain/Subdomain (Optional): If you want to access a web UI or webhook securely.

Step-by-Step Moltbot Deployment Guide (Docker)

Docker is the most stable way to deploy Moltbot on a Linux server. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare Your Environment

Connect to your VPS via SSH and create a dedicated directory:

mkdir moltbot && cd moltbot

2. Create the Configuration

Moltbot requires an environment file to store your API keys and preferences. Create a .env file:

nano .env

Add your keys (refer to the official docs for the full list of supported variables):

ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=your_key_here
OPENAI_API_KEY=your_key_here
MOLTBOT_SECRET=a_secure_random_string

3. Run with Docker

The easiest way to start is using the official image. You can use a docker-compose.yml file for easier management:

version: '3'
services: moltbot: image: clawd/moltbot:latest restart: always env_file: .env volumes: - ./data:/app/data ports: - "3000:3000"

Run the container:

docker-compose up -d

4. Onboarding and Configuration

Once the container is running, you can use the Moltbot CLI to onboard your instance:

docker exec -it moltbot-container-id moltbot onboard

Follow the interactive wizard to connect your messaging apps and configure your agent's personality.

Security Considerations: Is Moltbot Safe?

While Moltbot is a powerful tool, its "agentic" nature—the ability to run commands and access your data—means security is paramount. Recent investigations have highlighted significant risks associated with mismanaged deployments.

Reported Vulnerabilities and Risks

Several security researchers have discovered hundreds of exposed Moltbot (and Clawdbot) control panels online. These misconfigurations can lead to:

• Credential Leaks: Attackers can retrieve your OpenAI/Anthropic API keys, potentially leading to massive bills.
• Data Exposure: Private chat histories and configuration files containing sensitive personal info can be viewed by anyone.
• Remote Command Execution: In the worst cases, unauthenticated attackers can execute terminal commands on your VPS, leading to a complete server takeover.

Key Security Examples

• Bitdefender Alert: Researchers found exposed panels that allowed unauthenticated access to system secrets. Read more on Bitdefender
• The Register Report: Detailed how the rebrand to Moltbot didn't automatically fix the underlying security culture of its users. Read more on The Register
• Mashable Analysis: Discussed the inherent risks of giving AI agents "master keys" to your digital life. Read more on Mashable

How to Secure Your Deployment

1. Never Expose the Control Panel: Use a VPN or SSH tunnel to access the Moltbot UI. Do not open port 3000 to the public internet.
2. Use Strong Secrets: Ensure MOLTBOT_SECRET is long and complex.
3. Principle of Least Privilege: Run Docker as a non-root user and limit the directories the agent can access.
4. Monitor Logs: Regularly check your VPS logs for unauthorized access attempts.

Why Middlehost is Different for AI Deployment

Running AI agents requires more than just "cheap space." You need consistent performance.

• No Throttling: Unlike mass-market hosts, Middlehost provides clear CPU and RAM limits. Your agent won't "freeze" during a complex task because the host throttled your cores.
• NVMe Storage: AI agents often read/write to local databases or file systems. Our NVMe-only infrastructure makes these operations near-instant.
• Expert Support: If you run into network or Docker issues, our team understands the stack. We provide support in English and Urdu (for Pakistan) and Arabic/English (for UAE).

Common Myths About AI Agents

• Myth: They are too expensive to run. A basic VPS costs less than a few cups of coffee a month, and you only pay for the LLM tokens you actually use.
• Myth: You need to be a developer. While CLI knowledge helps, the Moltbot onboarding wizard handles most of the heavy lifting.
• Myth: They are unsafe. By running on your own VPS, you control the "sandbox." You decide what files and commands the agent can access.

When a Basic VPS is NOT Enough

If you are running multiple agents or processing massive datasets (like local RDB/Vector DBs), you might outgrow a standard VPS. You should consider upgrading to a Dedicated Server if: - You need 100% dedicated CPU threads for 24/7 processing. - You are running local LLMs (like Llama 3) that require high RAM and potentially GPU support.

FAQs about Clawdbot & Moltbot

What is the difference between Clawdbot and Moltbot?

Clawd is the brand/ecosystem name, while Moltbot is the specific framework and CLI tool used to build and run the agents. Most users use the terms interchangeably when searching for deployment guides.

Can I run Moltbot on shared hosting?

No. Moltbot requires a persistent background process and Docker/Node.js environment, which is not available on standard shared hosting. You need a VPS or a Dedicated Server.

Which LLM is best for Moltbot?

Anthropic's Claude 3.5 Sonnet is currently highly recommended for Moltbot due to its superior tool-use capabilities and reasoning, though OpenAI's GPT-4o is a very strong alternative.

Is Moltbot free?

The Moltbot framework itself is open-source, but you will need to pay for the VPS hosting and the API tokens used by the LLM providers (Anthropic/OpenAI).

How do I update Moltbot?

If using Docker, simply pull the latest image and restart your container: docker-compose pull && docker-compose up -d.